01 - The Trait System
On an autumn afternoon, the warm sunlight bathed the Hokage Building, shining over its timeworn, weathered exterior that had stood for decades.
Inside, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, clad in his ceremonial Hokage robe, swiftly flipped through the "Graduates of the 46th Year Ninja Academy" and the "List of Open Spots in Ninja Squads" on his desk.
Matching each genin's strengths and weaknesses, he carefully formed balanced teams and assigned suitable jonin instructors.
The past two years had seen increasing turbulence in the shinobi world.
Frequent small-scale skirmishes between villages had left Konoha's squads with significant casualties.
He knew all too well that well-structured teams were vital for mission success, survival rates, and overall combat effectiveness. Whether preparing for an impending war or ensuring the safety of his subordinates, every squad formation required the utmost caution.
Over an hour passed as he meticulously reviewed his draft multiple times, ensuring it was the best possible arrangement. One by one, he began summoning the jonin team leaders—Akimichi Chōza, Aburame Shibi, Namikaze Minato, Umino Ikaku…
Before he knew it, evening was approaching. As another knock sounded at the door, he looked up at the final jonin he would meet today.
The young man, around eighteen or nineteen, stood just over 180 centimeters tall, his lean yet well-built frame was likely due to rigorous training.
His short, golden hair and striking features could have easily captivated many young Konoha women—if not for the dark circles under his eyes, which dulled his otherwise handsome face, making him appear utterly exhausted.
"Good afternoon, Hokage-sama," he greeted with fatigue, raising a hand lazily in salute.
Late-night training had stretched until the early hours, and though he had tried to catch some sleep that afternoon, he had barely rested before being summoned to the Hokage Building.
How was he supposed to keep up with this?
"Kei, you should relax once in a while. Training is more effective when balanced with rest," Hiruzen remarked, well aware of Kei's relentless training habits. Without dwelling on the young man's weary demeanor, he got straight to the point.
"I've discussed with Inoichi and Shikaku—we're transferring you from the Analysis Team to a standard combat division. Here's your reassignment letter and details on your new team."
"Understood."
Kei accepted the documents, slipping the letter into his ninja tool pouch while glancing through the files on his assigned subordinates. Inoichi had already mentioned the transfer, so he had been expecting it.
Leading a team of genin, taking on one or two missions a month, and having plenty of downtime—it sounded like a perfect opportunity to take it easy.
However, when his eyes landed on the three names listed, his brows lifted in mild surprise.
Yūhi Kurenai, Might Guy, and Shiranui Genma.
Had these three ever been on the same team before?
Something felt off.
Wasn't Genma supposed to be in a squad with Ebisu? And weren't they from different graduating years?
"The new leaves of Konoha can only grow strong with the guidance of their predecessors, just as the Will of Fire is passed down through generations. Now, it's your turn to lead the next generation," Hiruzen declared, making no effort to explain the rationale behind the unusual team composition.
Instead, he simply reinforced the ideals of the Will of Fire.
"Rest assured, Hokage-sama. I will do my best to guide them," Kei responded, suppressing his doubts and putting away his usual laid-back demeanor, giving a proper assurance.
Satisfied with the response, Hiruzen gave a simple instruction—to report to the jonin standby station tomorrow and then head to Training Ground Four to meet the team—before waving him off.
---
Stepping out of the Hokage Building, Kei exchanged a few greetings with familiar ninja before making his way toward his clan's district.
Halfway there, a sudden mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
---
[System repair complete.]
[Database sorted.]
[Energy absorption progress: 100%]
[System awakening complete]
[Career Trait System activated.]
[Personal panel unlocked.]
[Detection ability activated.]
[Trait extraction, gifting, duplication, upgrading, and removal functions activated.]
[Career binding complete.]
[Bound career: Ninja]
[By completing career missions and career-related events, there is a chance to obtain opportunities for trait extraction, gifting, duplication, upgrading, downgrading, and removal.]
[Newcomer reward unlocked:
- 3 trait extractions
- 1 gifting opportunity]
---
Kei's steps faltered slightly, his expression shifting for the briefest moment before returning to normal. As if nothing had happened, he stopped by a familiar restaurant to pick up a quick meal before heading home.
Inside, he placed his palm on the floor, forming a hand seal.
"Anti-Detection Barrier—Activate."
With a faint hum, a translucent blue barrier enveloped the room. The intricate symbols etched into the surface of the barrier pulsed gently, sealing off all external interference.
Standing in the center of the living room, his expression fluctuated before he finally exhaled a long breath and sat down in front of the low table.
He had imagined many times how he would react when the system finally activated—perhaps he would curse at it for arriving nineteen years late, or maybe he would laugh and cry, venting all his bottled-up frustration and excitement.
But maybe, after so many years, all those feelings had been ground away by time. Now that the moment had come, he found himself far calmer than he had expected.
---
[Host: Yamanaka Kei]
[Career: Ninja]
[Active Traits: Transmigrator (Red), Yin Release Mastery (Purple), Handsome (Blue), Somewhat Skilled (Green)]
[Inactive Traits: None]
[Trait Extraction: 3]
[Trait Gifting: 1]
[Transmigrator (Red):
As someone who has lived two lives, your soul and mental strength are significantly enhanced, with increased growth speed and a higher potential limit.]
[Yin Release Mastery (Purple):
Years of relentless study and training have granted you near-perfect control over Yin Release techniques, improving your efficiency in learning, molding, modifying, and creating them. Your speed, power, and effectiveness of Yin Release jutsu are greatly increased, as is your resistance to them.]
[Handsome (Blue):
Favored by the world, you were born with striking looks, naturally enhancing your charisma and appeal to the opposite sex.]
[Somewhat Skilled (Green):
Years of probing through ninja memories have granted you a vast amount of information and knowledge. Through continuous practice, you have gained a foundational grasp of various ninjutsu types and elements, slightly improving your learning speed and memory retention.]
---
A satisfied smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he read through the descriptions.
"Seems like all those years of grinding finally paid off."
Wasting no time, he immediately initiated a trait extraction.